Author’s Note: Please enjoy the extra background noise of Stevie playing with her squeaky toy.

Were you wondering if we would ever come back? Did you miss us? Maybe not. Lord knows there has been plenty to hold our attention. We wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t missed us at all.

You know those T-shirts that say something like, “Sorry I’m late, I didn’t want to come.” 

I think we need one that says, “Sorry, we haven’t written; we didn’t feel like it.”

This week, though, something funny happened, and I wanted to share it with you.  My guess is that it will be familiar to you in its own way.

Once upon a time, early in my move to Colorado, I found a perfect sweater. 

Before I continue, I must tell you that finding the perfect sweater wasn’t just imperative because I was living in ski country, but because for years my sisters and I had a similar sweater. Okay, it actually belonged to G, but we all wore it.  We coveted that blue cable-knit sweater, and I begged to take it with me when I moved.  I did not win that particular battle and thus was tasked with finding my own perfect sweater

Back to my sweater. It was big, warm, and paired well with jeans and sweatpants. It was cozy, and I wore it through all the stages of my life, including all of my pregnancies.  It was one of those sweaters that, no matter how ridiculous the outfit, the sweater just made it work. For example, I might be wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt with no bra, but if I quickly threw on the sweater, I could then go to the school drop-off. It was versatile and probably my favorite piece of clothing.

You may have noticed the past tense in reference to this sweater. This perfect sweater eventually became a sought-after item in our household of girls, and what was once mine became theirs. You know how girls are; they steal everything from their sisters, mother, and father. They have zero boundaries when it comes to clothing.

Through the years, this sweater was passed around, and eventually, I lost track of who had it. Of course, that was by design. Whoever had possession of it surely didn’t want any of us to know where it was. 

Last week, my youngest confessed to having the sweater. In a moment of guilt or nostalgia, she decided to give the sweater new life, and she mailed it to her oldest sister. Since Alex is pregnant, she felt like she should have the opportunity to wear the sweater and continue the tradition. 

What I would have given to see her face when she opened that package and found my old sweater.  I imagine she threw her head back laughing as only Alex does. Of course, she loved it, and yesterday we received this photo and message from her:

“I wore the traveling sweater today!  Fits perfectly!  The most loved sweater out there!

Ahh, the holes in that sweater tell the story of love, and I can’t wait to see where this story takes us next.